Mechanical6
- Abrasions from Demodex mite claws can damage the eyelid margin and irritate the ocular surface
Demodex blepharitis (DB): common, but overlooked
Video by Eric Rosenberg, DO
Video by Eric Rosenberg, DO
of eye care patients in the United States have DB1,*
DB is an eyelid margin disease brought on by an infestation of Demodex mites and characterized by collarettes, a waxy buildup of debris around the base of the eyelid.1,2
DB is a common condition — chances are, you may have already seen patients with it.1,3
of eye care patients in the United States have DB1,*
DB is an eyelid margin disease brought on by an infestation of Demodex mites and characterized by collarettes, a waxy buildup of debris around the base of the eyelid.1,2
DB is a common condition — chances are, you may have already seen patients with it.1,3
DB doesn't discriminate
Signs can be found across patient groups1,*
Despite its prevalence, DB is frequently underdiagnosed due to symptom overlap with other ocular diseases. Collarettes are the pathognomonic sign you should look for.1-3
Meet the Demodex mite
Demodex mites are the most common ectoparasite found on human skin, usually concentrated around the nose, cheeks, and eyelids.2,4
Their digestive enzymes and waste products contribute to eyelid margin inflammation and the formation of collarettes.2,5
Percentage of blepharitis cases associated with Demodex mites1,*
*STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review for DB by 7 investigators at 6 eye care clinics of the case records of patients (N=1032) who underwent a slit lamp examination, regardless of chief complaint.
Take a closer look
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Small mites, big damage
Demodex mites can cause damage and inflammation in 3 main ways:
- Abrasions from Demodex mite claws can damage the eyelid margin and irritate the ocular surface
- Cytokines, chemokines, and other inflammatory biomarkers produced by the mites play a role in eyelid margin and ocular surface inflammation
- Digestive enzymes and other mite byproducts may trigger an inflammatory cascade
- Demodex mites transport bacteria like streptococci and staphylococci, which can trigger inflammation in surrounding tissues
- The mites release Bacillus oleronius from their gut at the end of their life cycle, producing antigens that can provoke an immune response
Inflammation and DB:
A vicious cycle
Inflammation caused by Demodex mites creates ideal conditions for proliferation, leading to increasing mite density and worsening disease.1,2,7
Inflammation: a central driver of disease1,2,7,8
Inflammation can affect structures throughout the eye and is associated with many ocular complications.
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